Matt Rhule’s tenure at Carolina didn’t last as long as both sides had hoped as the organization signed him to a seven-year contract in 2020. Just five weeks into Year 3 of that contract, the head coach was ousted by owner David Tepper after a 1-4 start to last season. Rhule has since been back on his feet, however, having returned to the college ranks and now embarking on his first season as head coach with Nebraska.
As he makes this transition into this new gig, Rhule is going to use his failures in Carolina as a learning experience, while also promising that his time with Nebraska will be a drastically different tenure.
“Going through the fire in Carolina was a purifying fire that melts away all the impurities, all the hubris, and all the worries about things that don’t matter,” Rhule told ESPN’s Pete Thamel. “I’ve learned a lot about caring about what’s important. I have a focus and a desire in me. I’ve seen what my kids had to go through in Carolina, and we’re not going to let them go through that here.”
Rhule went 11-27 in his three years with the Panthers, including two five-win campaigns in 2020 and 2021. Offensively, there was no explosion in Rhule’s system as they placed 29th in the league in offensive plays that 20-plus went. recruit. In addition, Rhule was unable to identify a franchise quarterback for Carolina in the post-Cam Newton era.
It’s quite possible that the NFL just didn’t fit with how Rhule approaches coaching. He was much more successful during his tenure with Temple and Baylor before making the jump to the pros, so this new situation with Nebraska could be more in his comfort zone, resulting in more productive football.
“We can absolutely be a national power,” Rhule said of what he can build in Nebraska. “I think we can be relevant in the [new world]as the College Football Playoff goes to 12 teams.”
As Rhule tries to reinvent itself at the college level, the Panthers also seem to be on a better track. The club has since hired former Colts head coach Frank Reich to man the sidelines and just drafted Alabama quarterback Bryce Young with the No. 1 overall pick.